Finite-size effects on the QCD phase diagram

Abstract

We discuss the finite-size effects on the chiral phase transition in QCD. We employ the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model and calculate the thermodynamic potential in the mean-field approximation. Finite-size effects on the thermodynamic potential are taken into account by employing the multiple reflection expansion. The critical temperature is lowered and the order of the phase transition is changed form first to second as the size of the system of interest is reduced.

9 pages, 7 figures